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Algoma-Manitoulin MPP and Ontario NDP mining critic Michael Mantha has tabled a private members bill in Queen’s Park requiring all ore from Ontario mines to be processed in the province.

In a March 27 release, Mantha said his bill entitled the “Mining Amendment Act (Resources Processed in Ontario)” would stimulate job growth and manufacturing.

“Not only does Ontario possess large deposits of minerals and ores, it also has the facilities and skills that it takes to process these raw materials right at home. This bill will enable us to take advantage of our vast natural resources, our tremendously skilled work force, and existing processing facilities.”

Mantha said if a mining company wants to process resources outside of Canada, it can ask for an exemption under the Mining Act. Cliffs Natural Resources wants to ship concentrate from its chromite deposit in the James Bay lowlands overseas to China for processing.

“The Northern economy has suffered huge losses in manufacturing and other sectors; this is a perfect opportunity to reinstate good, value-added jobs in the North,” said Mantha.

“We have smelting facilities in Timmins, and steel production facilities in Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie. Instead of giving away jobs and revenue by shipping the raw materials around the world to be processed, Ontario can become a powerhouse in North American steel production.”